Overview

• Xabi Alonso has officially announced he will leave Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the 2024–25 season, concluding a successful tenure highlighted by a Bundesliga title.
• Alonso is reported to have agreed to a three-year contract with Real Madrid, succeeding Carlo Ancelotti, the club’s most decorated coach, who is expected to lead Brazil’s national team.
• Bayer Leverkusen has begun its search for Alonso’s replacement, with Cesc Fabregas emerging as the leading candidate after impressive results managing Serie A club Como.
• Other potential candidates for the Leverkusen role include Erik ten Hag, Álvaro Arbeloa, and Xavi Hernández, though Fabregas is reportedly the club's preferred option.
• The managerial transitions mark significant shifts in European football, with Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, and Brazil preparing for new leadership.